The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-24

young Frank Dudley, has just como hom
from Europe, and Ihave invited him to din
with me to-day. He is pearl among men
not fool, nor a butterfly, nor a gabbler
and not thirty. Some of my swans, yol
have told me, are geese; but this one j!
| not"
IAN knots, dear uncle, and not hard Il
unite. But what are the positive qualitie!
of this paragon"
He is rich, handsome, agreeable and al
excellent tslker. However, you're his mattel
in all that"
A few minutes previous to the dinner houl
Acta descended to the drawing room in al
the luster of full dress to see this newcomer
who had arrived little before As she en-
tered Mr.. Dudley arose and was formally
presented One glance was enough Ths
place seemed to move around her and for a
moment her usual sef-possesslon fed. II
was her hero at lastl
AS for Dudley, he seemed as embarrassed
as she-why, he could not tell. She was a
stranger, but her beauty and grace fairly
dazzled him. While in Europe he had heard,
through common acquaintance, of his rich
bankers niece, and they had spoken OF her
haughtiness and GOODNESS. He had expected
TO see woman of the world, worldly, with
| that well-bred condescension which borders
on arrogance, but here was blushing, half
timid beauty, with the color coming and go
ing on her checks and strange light in her
dark eyes-the glorifed ideal of poets
dream. He Was enraptured and dazed. The
| travelled and accomplished man of the world
stammered and hesitated like ahalf-ignorant
| schoolboy. Where were the wonderful con-
versational powers of which the banker had
| spoken.
But they both recovered themselves. AL
though neither talked much, what each said
won the others admiration. All how witty
and wise are the simplest words that fall
from lips of youth and beauty. And how
| much wittier and wiser they seem when we
| are prepOssesSed in favor OF the one who
| speaks. Pearls fell from her mouth and
diamonds from his.
Frank was a great favOrite with old
Dingess who had known his father well,
and he drew from the young man deal
about his travel abroad, while Acta listened
in delightful maze. And so the dinner
passed OFF. 1t was very good one, but
Dingess only enjoyed it. Frank could not
| tell what he ate, or if he had eaten at all.
The young man fingered, forgot all about
an engagement at the club, and staid to tea.
1t was midnight when he got away, and old
Dingess was not a little astonished at the
fervor of Acta's goodnight kiss. But the
wooing begun 50 auspiciously did not get
along without some checks. Acta grew
timid. She feared that she had made I'M
maidenly advances and drew back, clothing
herself in an iron coat of reserve. Frank
noted the change. He was very deeply hit
and believed he was losing ground His
attachment soon became serious and her
manner brought him to the edge of des-
pair. Both tormented themselves with
doubts and fears, and both, with tremu-
lOus dIsmay, felt themselves drifting
farther apart.
Poor Acta! What was the splendor of
her life now! She wished herself back in
the mountains. As for Dudley, he grew
pale and looked worried He contracted
habit of blushing when spoken to suddenly.
One day friend noticed it. Dudley" he
said, you'd better see doctor. 1t looks as
if something was the matter with your
heart" Dudley said he thought there was.
Love will find out way" says the old
song.
The two met frequently. At some place
or other they were crossing each others
path. On these occasions their intercourse
was easy and unconstrained, but when
Frank visited the Dingess house they both
relapsed into formally.
The old uncle was an interested looker-on
He was quite anxious the two should make
a match, but he was shrewd enough to
know that his interference would mar his
own purpose.
One day Frank called, but not to see Acta
He desired to consult the uncle about the
proposed purchase of some stocks, and
thought the house better place than the
bank. The footman, VINO kaew-servants
soon take in all those things-that he was a
pronounced admirer of the young lady of
the house, showed him into the library.
Frank went in, thinking he should find the
banker there. but found Acta, who was
looking intently and admiringly at some
thing she held in her hand. In her agita-
ton at his Sudden coming she let this drop.
1t described a curve and lit at his feet
Frank picked it up. 1t was his own photo
graph.
He trembled with excitement and she
avoided his glance. The incident inspired
him. Selling her hand, he poured forth his
hopes, fears, and aspirations. She said
nothing, but crept to him like bird to its
nest. To get to the end-they were mar
ried and were as ridiculouSly happy as most
folks under like circumstances. At the
close of the honeymoon Acta, who wonld
occasionally recur to word or so of the
mountain dialect, happened to say, in reply
to statement OF her husband: ''WelL
allow that's So"
Dudley laughed. ''Where did you pick
that up, Acta! haven't heard it out of the
mountains"
Il am mountain bred, you know said
she.
Il did not know it."
''Stay here, sir, till 1 return" said Acta,
''and you'll see."
But -
ITO use your own words on a memorable
back, sir" And she gllded
from the room.
Dudley obeyed her and stood there admir-
ing her grace of motion and wondering what
was to GENE next, when singular figure
entered the room. A woman clad in a calico |
dress of peculiar pattern, her face hidden |
bya huge sun bonnet, and a pail in each !
hand.
by heavenr' cried Dudley, sit s the |
graceful girl of the court-house!"
Acta threw off the great bonnet and |
laughed. And then she told him all-even |
to her dreams of the champion. And he
WELL men are such fools He folded her in |
his arms and imprinted a kiss on her lips
"a long, long kiss of youth and love-
Thomas Dunn English.
Paris Night Refugees.
The Town Council of Paris has lately |